CN1189124A

CN1189124A - Cushioning conversion machine and processing method

Info

Publication number: CN1189124A
Application number: CN 96195060
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·O·拉特泽尔; J·J·哈尔丁; M·J·伦科斯基; J·A·西蒙斯; D·J·巴尔豪斯
Original assignee: Ranpak Corp
Current assignee: Ranpak Corp
Priority date: 1995-06-26
Filing date: 1996-06-26
Publication date: 1998-07-29

Abstract

A cushioning conversion machine and related methodology characterized by one or more features including, inter alia, a feeding/connecting assembly which enables an operator to easily vary a characteristic, for example the density, of the cushioning product; a feeding/connecting assembly wherein input and/or output wheels or rollers thereof are made at least in part of an elastomeric or other friction enhancing material, which reduces the cost and complexity of the input and output rollers; a manual reversing mechanism that is useful, for example, for clearing paper jams; a modular arrangement of a forming assembly and feeding/connecting assembly in separate units that may be positioned remotely from one another, as may be desired for more efficient utilization of floor space; a turner bar which enables alternative positioning a stock supply roll; and a volume expanding arrangement cooperative with the feeding/connecting assembly for reducing the density of the cushioning product and increasing product yield.

Description

The processing machine of cushioning product and processing method

Relevant application

The application is submit to June 26 nineteen ninety-five common unsettled at first to file US60/000,496 part continuation application.

Invention field

The present invention relates generally to the processing machine and the processing method of a cushioning product, be processed into damping article in order to raw material with the sheet strip.

Background technology

Article from a place to the shipment of another place, a packaging protecting material is placed in canister or the box usually, to fill all spaces and/or to be the article damping in shipment.Some traditional packaging protecting materials are bubble bags of plastic foam particle and plastics.Although these traditional plastic materials seem to serve as cushioning product, they do not have defective.It seems that the most serious defective of bubble bag of plastic foam particle and/or plastics be exactly that they can influence our environment.Very simple, the packaging material of these plastics can't be degraded, thereby they have further increased the weight of serious already garbage problem on our this celestial body inevitably.Consider that from the angle that environment is responsible for the packaging material of these non-degradeds become important further concerning those flourish industry.

Traditional plastic package material above-mentioned and other defective make paper packing material become a kind of popular substitute.A kind of regenerated resources can be degraded, circulate and be become to paper, and this makes paper become a kind of selection that environment is responsible for for industrialist conscientious.

Although the paper of sheet also can be used as a kind of packaging protecting material, usually preferably with scraps of paper processing being transformed into the very low block cushion packing product of a kind of density.At present the cushioning material processing machine that uses comprises that a forming assembly and one feed assembly, and they cooperatively interact, and a continuous sheet strip raw material (individual layer or multilayer) is processed into the cushioning material product of a three-dimensional dimension, i.e. wadding.Forming assembly is used for two sides of sheet strip raw material himself are folded or wind up to introversive, to form the band of its width less than the raw material width.Feed assembly and raw material is advanced pass forming assembly, feed assembly and also can be used as one and squeeze the wrinkle assembly and be connected or claim coupling unit with one.The cushioning material processing machine also can comprise a layered component, in order to make its each layer separation before passing former at raw band.Processing machine also comprises a separation assembly usually, and cutting assembly for example is used for band is cut into the section of Len req.

Europe patent application document NO.94440027.4 discloses a kind of cushioning material processing machine, it feeds assembly and comprises a pair of wheel for inputting and a pair of output wheel, or roller, they are with different speed operations, thereby along two layers of paper feed direction realize to the crowded wrinkle of ply of paper be connected, to form a wadding band that connects together.The processing industry of cushioning material product will have benefited from the improvement to processing machine shown in this application, and these improve the cushioning material processing machine that also is applicable to other.

Brief summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of improved cushioning material processing machine and corresponding cushioning material processing method.With more following characteristics is feature, especially comprises: one makes the operator can change the cushioning product characteristic at an easy rate, and for example density feeds/coupling assembling; Wherein feed/wheel for inputting of coupling assembling and/or output wheel made by elastomeric material or other material that strengthens friction at least partly, thus reduced the cost and the complexity of wheel for inputting and output wheel; One is beneficial to the hand reversing gear of removing plug paper; A kind of with the modular setting of forming assembly and feeding/coupling assembling with independent unit form, when needs more effectively utilized ground space, these unit can remotely be provided with mutually; A fold assembly, it doubles the number of plies of the flaky material in the cushioning product of being processed; A turner bar, it can change the orientation of raw material supply volume; And one with feed/volume expanded assembly that coupling assembling matches, be used to reduce the density of cushioning product and improve output.Many characteristics of the present invention can be individually or are applied in combination in various types of cushioning material processing machines.Below these and its its feature of the present invention is concluded and is described in more detail.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of be used for a kind of be the cushioning material processing machine that the sheet strip raw material processing of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes is transformed into a kind of three-dimensional dimension cushioning product basically, this processing machine generally comprises: the casing that raw material is therefrom passed along delegation's route line; One feeds/coupling assembling, and it makes raw material advance along described course from the one raw material source, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material that will squeeze wrinkle connects to produce a damping wadding band.Feed/coupling assembling comprises along raw material and passes upstream components and the components downstream that the route of casing is provided with, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, speed when its pace is discharged with components downstream greater than flaky material, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts.In addition, one of them comprises opposed a pair of element at least for upstream components and components downstream, and raw material is from passing between the opposing elements that has squeeze pressure and being squeezed; A pressure control device is set to adjust by opposing elements to squeeze pressure value that raw material was applied.In one embodiment of the invention, pressure control device comprises a control element that touches that is positioned at the casing outside, so that the operator can easily adjust squeeze pressure, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band as requested.In another embodiment, each of upstream components and components downstream comprises opposed a pair of element, and raw material is from passing between the opposing elements that has squeeze pressure and being squeezed; A pressure control device is set to adjust opposing elements by components downstream, makes this pressure be independent of opposing elements by upstream components, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band to the squeeze pressure that raw material applied to the squeeze pressure value that raw material was applied.

According to a further aspect in the invention, the cushioning material processing machine also comprises usually: the casing that raw material is therefrom passed along delegation's route line; One feeds/coupling assembling, and it makes raw material follow the route line from raw material source to advance, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material that will squeeze wrinkle connects to be produced as damping wadding band.Feed/coupling assembling comprises and feeds parts along the upstream that raw material passes the route setting of casing and the downstream feeds parts, the upstream feeds parts and is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of flaky material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts.Be provided with one in order to change the upstream feeds parts and the downstream feeds the adjustable speed control device that feeds speed ratio between the parts, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band.In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable speed control device for example can comprise: be used for one of them the transmission device (for example pulley apparatus of a variable pitch circle) of variable-ratio of upstream and downstream parts, one quick change gear train, the speed Control of one of them at least of perhaps a pair of upstream and downstream parts drive motors separately.One control element preferably is located at the outside of cabinet, makes the operator can easily adjust speed ratio, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band as requested.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a cushioning material processing machine also comprises usually: the casing that raw material is therefrom passed along delegation's route line; One feeds/coupling assembling.It makes raw material follow the route line from the one raw material source to advance, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material that will squeeze wrinkle connects to produce a damping wadding band.Feed/coupling assembling comprises along raw material and passes upstream components and the components downstream that the route of casing is provided with, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of flaky material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts.Downstream part in components downstream also is provided with a tensile part, and its operation makes damping wadding band advance with higher speed, and the speed that its speed is higher than raw material when passing components downstream is to realize the longitudinal stretching to damping wadding band.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cushioning material processing machine also comprises usually: the casing that raw material is therefrom passed along delegation's route line; Feed/coupling assembling, it makes raw material follow the route line from the one raw material source to advance, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material that will squeeze wrinkle connects and is produced as a damping wadding band.Feed/coupling assembling comprises along raw material and passes upstream components and the components downstream that the route of casing is provided with, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts.One of them comprises opposed a pair of element at least for upstream components and components downstream, and raw material is from passing between the opposing elements that has squeeze pressure and being squeezed; And its surface of at least one element in the described opposing elements is made by the elastomeric material that can be meshed with raw material at least partly.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cushioning material processing machine generally includes: the casing that raw material is therefrom passed along delegation's route line; One feeds/coupling assembling, and it makes raw material follow the route line from the one raw material source to advance, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material that will squeeze wrinkle connects to produce a damping wadding band.Feed/coupling assembling comprises: the tumbler that at least one can rotate along a first direction, live raw material and make it follow the route line to advance in order to interlock; One feeds motor in order to drive this rotating element to what first direction rotated, and a crank that links to each other with this rotating element, and this crank can make this rotating element along the second direction rotation opposite with first direction.In preferred embodiment, crank links to each other with rotating element by an one-way clutch.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cushioning material processing machine comprises having first module and Unit second of casing separately, thereby Unit first and second can be placed on the position of space.First module is included in the former in its casing, and in order to the raw material of pleated sheet strip, forming the flat raw band after folding, the raw band after folding is a multilayer, and the folding line that each layer extends along the longitudinal is connected at least on another layer.Unit second is included in the Stent assembly in its casing, its effect is that flat raw band after folding is through out-of-date, each that raw band is adjacent layer is separated from each other, to form the raw band of an expansion, comprise that also one feeds/coupling assembling, it advances raw material to pass Stent assembly, and the raw material from the expansion of Stent assembly is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material that will squeeze wrinkle connects to produce a damping wadding band.In preferred embodiment, two used unit combine with a platform, to constitute a packaging facilities.Platform comprises a deck roof that has the package handling surface.Unit first and second can be positioned at the below on described package handling surface, and one of them can be stacked on another and with the latter be supporting.In another kind was arranged, first module can be positioned at the below of deck roof, and Unit second can be supported by deck roof.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cushioning material processing machine generally includes: one is used for supply sheet strip supply of raw material assembly; A handle is processed the processing assembly that changes a three-dimensional dimension damping wadding band into from the sheet strip raw material of provisioning component.The supply of raw material assembly comprises: the support in a raw material supply source, raw material just send out from this raw material source; Also comprise a fold assembly, it makes raw material folding along a broken line parallel with the longitudinal axis of himself, thereby the number of plies of the raw material that is processed to a damping wadding band is doubled.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cushioning material processing machine comprises: a forming assembly, and sheet strip raw material advances and passes this assembly, so that raw material is configured as a 3D shape; One feeds/coupling assembling, and it feeds and squeeze the raw band after wrinkle is shaped, and the raw material that will squeeze after wrinkle is shaped connects to produce a damping wadding band.Forming assembly comprises a drip molding and a convergent groove that cooperates with drip molding, they make the edge of raw material inwardly wind up, to produce the lateral section of the pillow of raw band afterwards that is shaped, and feed/coupling assembling comprises: the set upstream components and the components downstream of route of passing machine along raw material, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts.

According to another aspect of the invention, one cushioning material processing machine comprises and feeding/coupling assembling, this assembly makes the raw material from the one raw material source advance along a route that passes machine, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material that will squeeze wrinkle connects to produce a damping wadding band.Feed/coupling assembling comprises and feeds parts along the upstream that raw material passes the route setting of casing and the downstream feeds parts, the upstream feeds parts and is driven continuously, feed raw material continuously so that during the forming operation of cushioning material, feed parts downstream, and the downstream feeds parts and driven off and on, so that periodically feed raw material.Therefore, when the downstream fed parts and driven, raw material fed in upstream and downstream and is subjected to vertically squeezing wrinkle between the parts, and when the downstream feeds parts and driven, and vertically squeezed raw material after wrinkling and fed parts by the downstream and feed to the port of export of machine.

According to another aspect of the invention, a kind of method of making cushioning product is provided, it is the cushioning product that the sheet strip raw material processing of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes is transformed into a kind of three-dimensional dimension with one basically, and this method generally comprises following steps: supply raw material; Use one to feed/upstream components of coupling assembling make raw material towards feed/downstream parts of coupling assembling advance, its pace is greater than the speed of material when components downstream is discharged, to realize crowded wrinkle to raw material between two parts, thereby form damping wadding band, upstream components and components downstream all comprise opposed a pair of element, and raw material is from passing between the opposing elements that has squeeze pressure and being squeezed.In one embodiment, the step of this method also comprises, adjustment, is made this pressure be independent of opposing elements by upstream components to the squeeze pressure that raw material applied, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band to the squeeze pressure value that raw material applied by the opposing elements of components downstream.In another embodiment, the step of this method also comprises, changes upstream and downstream and feeds the speed ratio of the speed that feeds of parts, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band.

Above-mentioned feature with other of the present invention will fully be described hereinafter, and point out specially in claims.Following explanation and accompanying drawing have been represented examples more of the present invention in detail, and these sample tables are understood some modes in the variety of way of utilizing the principle of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is the vertical view of cushioning material processing machine 100 of the present invention, and this processing machine comprises a casing, the raw material supply assembly, and a forming assembly, one feeds/coupling assembling, a cutting assembly, and a cutting subsequent components;

Fig. 2 is the schematic side elevation of cushioning material processing machine 100;

Fig. 3 is the cross sectional view of the feeding of processing machine 100/coupling assembling and machine casing relevant portion;

Fig. 3 A feeds/gear of coupling assembling and the partial view of machine casing relevant portion;

Fig. 4 A and 4B feed/element of coupling assembling, i.e. a front view and a side view that feeds wheel;

Fig. 4 C and 4D feed/element of coupling assembling, promptly feed the front view and the side view of a bogie wheel of wheel;

Fig. 4 E and 4F feed/element of coupling assembling, i.e. the front view of a pinch roller and side view;

Fig. 4 G and 4H feed/element of coupling assembling, i.e. the front view and the side view of a bogie wheel of a pinch roller;

Fig. 5 A feeds/partial top view of coupling assembling and machine casing relevant portion;

Fig. 5 B observes along the 5B-5B line among Fig. 5 A, feeds/side view of coupling assembling;

Fig. 5 C is along the 5C-5C line among Fig. 5 A intercepting, feeds/cross sectional view of coupling assembling;

Fig. 6 A and 6B are respectively according to the schematic side elevation of another cushioning material processing machine 200 of the present invention and vertical view;

Fig. 6 C is the schematic side elevation of the forming assembly of cushioning material processing machine;

Fig. 7 feeds shown in Fig. 1-2/partial side view of a remodeling of coupling assembling;

Fig. 8 feeds shown in Fig. 1-2/partial side view of a remodeling of coupling assembling;

Fig. 9 is the cross sectional view along the intercepting of the 9-9 line among Fig. 8;

Figure 10 feeds shown in Fig. 1-2/partial schematic diagram of a remodeling of coupling assembling;

Figure 11 A and 12 is the schematic plan according to first and second modular units in another cushioning material processing machine of the present invention;

With 11B is device in first modular unit, and promptly the end-view of an extension fixture is expressed the flat raw material of folding and expanded by this device among the figure;

With 11C is the side view of extension fixture shown in Figure 11 B, does not have raw material on the device;

Figure 13-the 15th is according to side view of the present invention, that be furnished with three kinds of packaging facilities of Figure 11 A and cushioning material processing machine shown in Figure 12;

Figure 16 is the side view according to the packaging facilities of a remodeling of the present invention, as to be furnished with second modular unit shown in Figure 12;

Figure 17 is the partial top view of a remodeling of the assembly of raw material supply shown in Fig. 1-2;

Figure 18 is the side view of a remodeling of raw material supply assembly shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 A feeds shown in Fig. 1-2/vertical view of a remodeling of coupling assembling;

Figure 19 B feeds shown in Figure 19 A/side view of coupling assembling;

Figure 19 C feeds shown in Figure 19 A/viewgraph of cross-section of coupling assembling, and this cross section is along the intercepting of the 19C-19C line among Figure 19 A;

Figure 20 feeds shown in Fig. 1-2/side view of a remodeling of coupling assembling;

Figure 21 is the end-view of shown in Figure 20 feeding/coupling assembling;

Figure 22 feeds shown in Fig. 1-2/vertical view of a remodeling of coupling assembling;

Figure 23 is the viewgraph of cross-section of shown in Figure 22 feeding/coupling assembling, and this cross section is to intercept along the 23-23 line among Figure 22; And

Figure 24 is the end-view of shown in Figure 22 feeding/coupling assembling.

Implement preferred plan of the present invention

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 have represented one according to cushioning material processing machine 100 of the present invention.This cushioning material processing machine 100 be basically a two-dimensional (thickness of raw material relatively can be ignored its width and the length, thus be referred to as " be two-dimensional substantially) the raw material of sheet strip process the cushioning material product of the three-dimensional dimension that is transformed into a Len req.Ideal raw material comprises the degradable regenerative sheet strip material of two laminations or multilayer unification, and for example 30～50 pounds brown paper is rolled into a hollow cylinder volume with it, thereby forms a stock roll R.Be more preferably, raw material is a two layers of paper, and they are glued together discontinuously, and some little glue points are arranged in the centre of two layers of paper, and the spacing between the glue point approximately is 1 foot.Desirable cushioning product has the Zhe shape part (or claiming the pillow part) along both sides.They are connected to each other or claim along the narrower middle band that they are separated and combine.

Cushioning material processing machine 100 comprises a casing 102, and it has a base plate or diapire 103, side plate or sidewall 104, one downstream end plates or end wall 105, one top covers 106 and a downstream end cap or end wall 107.Diapire, sidewall and end wall 103～105 have constituted the main frame structure of machine jointly.Top cover 106 constitutes an obturator that accommodates machine 100 intrawares together with diapire, sidewall and end wall 103～105.Should be noted that the term " upstream " in this context, " downstream " is the traffic direction when passing through machine 100 at raw material.

Each wall 103～107 of casing 102 generally all is flat and rectangle.The upstream edge of diapire 103 and sidewall 104 curves inwardly, and forms a rectangle frame with a upper boom 108, determines one and is positioned at the rectangle entrance that supplies raw material to send into central authorities, bigger.This rectangle frame can be regarded a upstream end wall of extending vertically upward from the upstream edge of diapire 103 as.Downstream end wall 105 is extended vertically upward from a little inwardly any the position near the downstream of diapire 103, and determines the outlet opening of a damping wadding.Downstream end cap 107 is installed on the downstream edge of diapire 103, forms the obturator of the box-shaped of some parts that accommodates machine 100 with a downstream part of sidewall 104 and top cover 106.End cap 107 can be opened selectively, so that near those inner parts.The downstream part of top cover preferably firmly is fixed on the position, its upstream portion then can be the form of the hinged door that can open, so that can open inside near casing, the forming assembly that will mention below particularly can touching, thus be convenient to load in known manner raw material.

Cushioning material processing machine 100 comprises that also raw material supply assembly 109, one forming assemblies 110, feed/coupling assembling 111, one cutting assemblies 112 and a cutting subsequent components 113.In preferred process, raw material supply assembly 109 is supplied raw materials to forming assembly 110.Forming assembly 110 makes the lateral section of sheet-shaped material inwardly be converted into an overlapping state.Feed/coupling assembling 111 advances raw material, passes machine 100 and make folding raw material wrinkling, to be configured as a damping wadding band.When the wadding band from feed/when coupling assembling 111 was advanced downstream, cutting/homogeneous component 112 is cut off the wadding band or cuts into the portion's section with Len req promptly cut into liner.Liner is then through cutting subsequent components 113.

Raw material supply assembly 109 comprises two supports 114, and they are spaced and be installed to the upstream extremity of the casing 102 of machine.Raw material supply assembly 109 also comprises first and second deflector rolls 115,116, and they are installed in rotation between the support 114, and also has a dance roller 117, and it is sagging pivotly from the support 114 by swing arm 118.When paper tape from stock roll or when supplying with volume R debatching, paper tape is walked around dancer rools 117, like this, the pulling force that make progress of paper tape on dancer rools 117 matches with gravity downward in dancer rools 117 and the swing arm 118, helps to keep on paper tape a uniform tension force.Then, paper tape passes from the above and below of

deflector roll

115 and 116, paper tape is introduced forming assembly 110.

Forming assembly 110 comprises an intermediate plate 119, and a pair of down folding roller 120 forms the

folding element

121 and 122 of a chute shape passage or groove in addition, with so that the side invagination of raw material.Intermediate plate 119 is installed on the pillar 123, and the latter is connected on the diapire 103, and intermediate plate 119 is downward-sloping a little, and is the taper of inside contraction from the upstream extremity downstream end of intermediate plate.Roller 120 is installed on the 124a, and the latter extends between a pair of swing arm 124b end separately, and the other end of swing arm 124b then is pivotably connected to one on the cramp bar 124c that extends between the sidewall 104.

Folding element

121 and 122 modes with a similar cantilever are installed in the below of an installing plate 125.

After paper tape entered forming assembly 110, the mid portion of paper tape (preferably about 1/3 fabric width) fell to being placed on the intermediate plate 119, and remaining lateral section (about 1/3 amplitude of preferably every side) will be subjected to roller 120 downward compressing or backfin.After paper tape touched

folding element

121 and 122, folding element inwardly was superimposed with each other the side portion of paper tape, thereby two sides of paper tape are superimposed together with overlapping relation.Superimposed paper, i.e. paper tape, advance to feed/coupling assembling 111 in.

Feed/coupling assembling 111 comprises a supporting frame 126, one trains (or roller system) 127, one drive units 128 and a guiding gutter 129.Feed/all elements 126～129 of coupling assembling are used for feeding raw material, for example pull out and make it to pass forming assembly 110 from raw material supply assembly 109 raw material.Feed/coupling assembling 111 makes raw band vertically squeeze wrinkle, and the lap of raw band is connected, or combine, to connect into a damping lead-in with required three-dimensional geometry size.

With reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 A-5C, supporting frame 126 comprises a pair of vertical side plate 130 and a horizontal cross bar 131.The downstream edge of side plate 130 is connected on the casing 102 of machine.More particularly, be connected on the end wall 105.Cross bar 131 is extending between the biside plate 130 and is being fixed on the side plate 130.

Shown in clear among Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 A-5C, train 127 comprises: one feeds a bogie wheel 133, one pinch rollers (or claiming output wheel) 134 that wheel (or claiming wheel for inputting) 132, feeds wheel 132, one bogie wheel 135 of pinch roller 134, and each take turns 132～135 separately the axle 137～140.The

lower wheel

132 and 134 in position is separately fixed on the

axle

137 and 139; And the

higher wheel

133 and 135 in position is installed in rotation on respectively on the

axle

138 and 140.

When feeding assembly 111 work,

lower axle

137 and 139 is driven by drive unit 128 rigidity, thereby

lower wheel

132 and 134 is rotated; These two wheels rotate higher wheel subsequently, or Sui's wheel 133 and 135.

Lower axle

137 and 139 between two side plates 130, extend and rotationally axle journal be bearing in the side plate 130 and (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 A 5C).

Higher axle 140 extends between two side plates 130, and the relative two ends of axle are arranged in the vertical gathering sill 130a of one on the respective side panels 130 (referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 A-5C), and higher axle 138 its relative two ends end near the side plate.A pair of spaced coupling piece 142 is connected between the higher axle 138 and 140.Each coupling piece position approximately therebetween is connected to a corresponding outstanding pin, or the lower end of Suspension 143.Each pin passes on the cross bar 131 pilot hole separately vertically and extends downwards, and a compression spring 144 is housed on the pin, and spring 144 places between cross bar and the coupling piece.In this way, higher wheel, promptly Sui's

wheel

133 and 135 can impose fexible bias pressure to corresponding

lower wheel

132 and 134, and can vertically float with respect to lower crop rotation at machine 100 duration of works.

Seen in Fig. 4 A-4D, wheel 132 and 133 all is columniform usually, feeds wheel 132 and comprises a mid portion 145, and it is axially separated two relative ends 146.Mid portion 145 is a cannelure form, and for example, it can be (as shown in the figure) square-section, or semi-circular cross-section.The cylindrical peripheral face of two relative axial end portions 146 is interrupted by some planes 147.Interlock with respect to the plane on another end 146 on the plane 147 on the axial end portion 146.In other words, the on-plane surface on the plane on the axial end portion 146 147 and another axial end portion 146, or the knurled region 148 of circular arc is alignd mutually.The bogie wheel 133 that feeds wheel 132 also comprises mid portion 149, and it is axially separated two relative ends 150.Mid portion 149 is that one radially the convex annular of evagination is as form, and the radially-outer surface of protruding picture is preferably circular, and end 150 then all has the radially-outer surface of annular knurl.Wheel 132,133 one of them or boths' radially-outer surface, or some part of outer surface, can be made into by elastomeric material, for example use rubber (neoprene or urine gastral cavity artificial rubber), thereby cost and the complexity of wheel have been reduced, also strengthened frictional force simultaneously greatly, with provide with raw material between fricton-tight significantly the cooperation.

Shown in Fig. 4 E～4H,

wheel

134 and 135 also is columniform usually, and pinch roller 134 comprises a mid portion 151, and it is axially separated two relative ends 152.Mid portion 151 is that inwardly contract in the footpath and has a level and smooth radial surface.Two ends 152 are fin shapes, form some circumferentially spaced rectangular teeths.The bogie wheel 135 of pinch roller 134 comprises a continuous annular knurl outer peripheral face.Wheel 134,135 one of them or boths' radially-outer surface, or some part of outer surface, also can be made into by a kind of elastomeric material, for example use rubber (neoprene or urine gastral cavity artificial rubber), thereby cost and the complexity of wheel have been reduced, also strengthened frictional force simultaneously greatly, with provide with raw material between fricton-tight significantly the cooperation.

Feed as seen in Figure 1 ,/drive unit 128 of coupling assembling 111 comprises a motor 153 and actuated element 154～159 (seeing Fig. 3,3A and 5A).Motor 153 is installed on the base plate 103 and is positioned at a side of forming assembly 110.Actuated element passes to train 127 to the rotary power of motor 153, perhaps more particularly, passes to

lower axle

137 and 139.

Seen in Fig. 3,3A and 5A, actuated element comprises driving chain 154, sprocket wheel 155 and 156.The output shaft 153a that sprocket wheel 155 is fixed on a gear reduction unit 153b who is driven by motor 153 goes up (see figure 1).And sprocket wheel 156 is fixed on the wheel pressing shaft 139.Driving chain 154 is walked around

sprocket wheel

155 and 156, so that wheel pressing shaft 139 rotates.

Actuated element 157～159th, gear, they have constituted wheel pressing shaft 139 and have fed gear transmission chain between the wheel shaft 137.On the other end relative that gear 157 is fixed to wheel pressing shaft 139 with sprocket wheel 156.Gear 158 is installed in rotation on the supporting side plate 130, and gear 159 is fixed on the approach end that feeds wheel shaft 137.In this way, feeding wheel shaft 137 will rotate along identical direction with wheel pressing shaft 139.Yet, select gear, axle 137 (and feeding wheel 132) is rotated to feed speed faster than axle 139 (and pinch roller 134).In the embodiment shown, the speed ratio of setting approximately is 1.7: 1 to about 2.0: 1.

As Fig. 1 and seen in fig. 2, guiding gutter 129 extends to delivery outlet on the casing end wall 105 from the port of export of forming assembly 110.In Fig. 3, can see that guiding gutter 129 is the square-section basically, the end of the upstream of guiding gutter and/or edge preferably expand outwardly, with the inlet 160 (seeing Fig. 5 B) that forms a funnel-form or constricting nozzle shape.The roof of guiding gutter 129 and diapire respectively comprise an opening 161, make wheel 132～135 extend into the inside (seeing Fig. 5 A-5C) of guiding gutter by these openings.Can understand, the cross sectional dimensions of guiding gutter 129 (being width and height) just is similar to the cross sectional dimensions of cushioning product.

The raw band that is shaped in forming assembly 110 is filled in guiding gutter 129 through funnel-form input port 160, and raw band is fed wheel 132 and (promptly towards downstream direction) bitten and be fed forward to bogie wheel 133 there.The interlaced arrangement on the plane 147 on two ends 146 of wheel 133 makes raw band alternately be fed from the both sides of longitudinal axis, and not only just axially pulling.That is to say that raw band is not only axially spurred, and be that the both sides alternately of raw band from longitudinal axis fed.Make and thisly constantly repeat down to the pulling successively of opposite side then from a side, this mode that feeds might stay the open and flat remainder of place's profile in the middle part of paper tape, and it is produced by the flange 159 in the mating groove 145 that is assemblied in wheel 132.Raw band is bitten by pinch roller 134 and bogie wheel 135 then.Because wheel 134 is compared with lower rotational speed with 133 with wheel 132 with 135, make raw band between two pairs of wheels of upstream and downstream, vertically be squeezed wrinkle, and the one wheel pairs in downstream push to the fold on the paper tape.(about with feed/the further details of coupling assembling 111 similar assemblies, can be referring to No. the 94440027.4th, the Europe patent application of applying on April 22nd, 1994, it is corresponding to disclosed open file NO.0679504 A1 on December 2 nineteen ninety-five, and this file is incorporated herein by reference.) then, the wadding band leaves guiding gutter 129 and passes wadding delivery outlet on the end wall 105.

Feed when the wadding band leaves/coupling assembling 111 and when passing wadding delivery outlet on the end wall 105, cutting assembly 112 becomes a desired length with the anterior cut of wadding band.Described cutting assembly 112 comprises best cutting element 162 (see figure 1)s that power is provided by a motor 163.Being installed in cutting element 162 on the downstream surface of end wall 105 is inclusive in the obturator that is sealed by downstream end cap 107.Cutting motor 163 is installed in the opposite side (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) relative with feeding motor 153 that is positioned at forming assembly 110 on the diapire 103.A kind of suitable cutting assembly is disclosed in No. the 08/188th, 305, the U.S. Patent application, and this document is incorporated herein by reference.The segment of wadding is then through cutting subsequent components 113.

As Fig. 1 and seen in fig. 2, cutting subsequent components 113 is installed on the downstream end cap 107.The import and export of assembly 113 are all alignd with wadding delivery outlet on the end wall 105.Cutting subsequent components 113 is rectangular cross sectional shape, and expands outwardly towards downstream direction.When the segment of wadding bar, i.e. liner, when the outlet of assembly 113 was discharged, they can be used as a cushioning material.

With reference now to Figure 17 and Figure 18,, represented an improved form 109u of raw material supply assembly among the figure.The work of raw material supply assembly 109u is to make raw material become the stratiform form before raw material enters forming assembly 110.Although this provisioning component 109u also can be used for the raw material of multilayer, the number of plies of raw material is doubled, it is preferably used in the raw material of individual layer, does not so just need the raw material of individual layer is rolled into again the stock roll of multilayer.

Raw material supply assembly 109u comprises pair of brackets 114u, and (different with spaced support 114) support 114u is that perpendicular separation is opened, and is supporting a vertical orientated stock roll R _u, (width of this stock roll generally is the twice of common width, and this is because raw material will fold mutually, so that the paper tape of pair of lamina to be provided).Raw material supply assembly 109u also comprises a fold plate 1001, and it vertically is positioned at the down upstream end of folding roller 120u, by a carriage it is suspended on the support on the diapire 103.Fold plate 1001 is triangle normally, and just it also comprises the importing limit 1002 of a circular arc.When raw material in a vertical plane from stock roll R _uUnwinding, and when being pulled through fold plate 1001 and entering forming assembly 110, it half-and-half is converted into two-layer paper tape.Paper tape changes in the horizontal plane then, prepares to be received by forming assembly 110.If necessary, stock roll also can support by along continuous straight runs, the path of the axis normal of stock roll when entering forming assembly 110, and between stock roll and fold plate, use an angle turning device, so that the horizontal plane state of raw material when leaving stock roll is directed to vertical plane state when delivering to fold plate 1001.Certainly will appreciate that also that the horizontal location of stock roll also can obtain by the entire equipment in Figure 17～18 is turned over 90 ° around its longitudinal axis.In addition, as the stock roll R among the figure _vBe schematically shown, supply raw materials from one or several additional stock roll in addition, just can provide the multilayer raw material.If necessary, can use two, three or more stock roll among other embodiment described here.

According to another kind of mode of the present invention, the feeding of a kind of remodeling/coupling assembling 111 can comprise that some can quick-replaceable interchangeable wheel group, so that provide the different separately speed ratios that feeds between the wheel for inputting of train and output wheel.These gears but can be similar to gear 157～159 (seeing Fig. 5 B), difference is that they are of different sizes or the number of teeth, feeds a corresponding change of speed ratio so that produce, and produces desired wadding characteristic thereupon.On each gear train that adapts with desired various packaging applications, get suitable mark, suitable gear train is changed in specific application, so just can realize the change of speed ratio, and only need do seldom training some operator of machine.As described here, feed speed ratio between wheel 132 (Fig. 5 C) and the pinch roller (134) and have influence on the feature of changing the wadding that is produced in the process (for example density, compressibility, cushioning ability etc.).Although the feature speed ratio that is provided by gear 157～159 can be applicable to many application scenarios, very likely wish to change selectively this speed ratio, to change the wadding characteristic.Specifically, if speed difference increases, just will produce rigidity more, finer and close wadding for example is used to pack heavier article.On the other hand,, just will produce more loose wadding (thereby may obtain bigger output from the raw material of specified rate), for example be used to pack lighter article if speed difference reduces.

Feeding/another remodeling of coupling assembling in, can use two independent motors that feed, one is used to feed wheel shaft 137 (seeing Fig. 5 A and 5C), another is used for wheel pressing shaft 139.Two motors or wherein any motor have variable speed and select so that can adjust speed ratio selectively.Can see,, just can save actuated element 154～159 (seeing Fig. 5 A) if these motors are directly connected on the axle 137 and 139.This remodeling can save gear train 157～159 (Fig. 5 A) at least.

In Fig. 7 shown in local, feed/another remodeling of coupling assembling in, the gear train 157～159 of drive unit 128u (seeing Fig. 5 A) is substituted by the pulley apparatus 1010 of a variable pitch circle.The pulley apparatus 1010 of variable pitch circle is being controlled the speed ratio that feeds between wheel shaft 137 and the wheel pressing shaft 139 in drive unit 128u.Shown pulley apparatus 1010 comprises: one is connected in 1011, one of SL belt pulleys that feed on the wheel shaft 137 and is connected in MC belt pulley 1012 on the wheel pressing shaft 139 and a V-shape belt 1013 that is looped around between the two-wheeled.An adjusting device 1014 (preferably being positioned at the control swing handle 1015 that the machine outside is convenient to contact by one) can manually be controlled the position of V-shape belt 1013 on

belt pulley

1011 and 1012, thereby changes the speed ratio between the axle 137-139 in known manner.

Feed/another remodeling of coupling assembling is illustrated among Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, it be designed for bias pressure between pinch roller 134 and its bogie wheel 135 carry out easy, or even dynamic selectively changing.The supporting structure 129t of train 127t comprises a pair of horizontal cross bar 131at, 131bt, and they extend and are fixed on two side plates 130.Cross bar 131at and axle 138 vertical alignments, cross bar 131bt and axle 140 vertical alignments.

(pin 143 is similar with hanging) pair of pin 143at is connected coupling piece 142 with the first supporting bar 131at.Pin 143at extends to the end near axle 138 of coupling piece 142.Another pin 143bt is connected with coupling piece 142 by a crotch 1020, and this crotch is connected to the end near axle 140 of coupling piece 142.Pin 143bt is installed on the cross bar 131bt by an adjusting device 1021.This adjusting device comprises that is regulated a backstop 1021a, and pin 143bt just is screwed in this backstop.Like this, the rotation of pin just make regulate backstop do towards or leave the motion of axle 140.One spring 1021b is installed between the lateral direction element 131bt that regulates backstop 1021a and crotch 1020.Therefore, the rotation of pin will increase or reduce and act on the crotch, thereby just act on the bias pressure on axle 140 and the wheel 135.Should be noted that pin can freely rotate with respect to crotch.

As in preferred embodiments, be fixed with a swing handle 1022 on the end above the reality of pin reaches cross bar.Will be understood that it is to act on the bias pressure of axle on 140 for the ease of manual adjustments that swing handle is provided.Swing handle preferably is positioned at the casing outside of machine, perhaps is arranged in the position that the casing of machine is convenient to touch at least.If swing handle 1022 is screwed, the bias pressure between pinch roller 134 and its bogie wheel 135 just will increase, thereby produce finer and close wadding.If unscrew swing handle 1022, bias pressure will reduce, thereby produces loose wadding.When machine works, just can dynamically adjust, thereby " awing " changes the characteristic of wadding.If desired, swing handle can be replaced by other driving mechanism, for example regulates bias pressure with remote-controlled motor.

Represented among Figure 10 to feed/the drive unit 128w of another remodeling of coupling assembling.Drive unit 128w comprises a reversing device 1030, and it can make and feed/the coupling assembling counter motion, for example is used for removing the paper stock that machine blocks.Drive unit 1030 comprises a clutch 1031 and one handle 1032.Clutch 1031 can make the axle of motor 153w and wheel pressing shaft 139 throw off selectively.Handle 1032 is connected on the wheel pressing shaft 139.Like this, when motor shaft one is thrown off, hand rotation wheel pressing shaft 139 in the opposite direction just.Handle 1032 can resemble and be permanently secured on the machine when the machine operate as normal showing among the figure, or can turn up, or even removable.Form as an alternative, motor can reverse, to realize feeding/counter motion of coupling assembling.

Feed/another remodeling of coupling assembling is illustrated in Figure 20 and 21, and this assembly adopts an improved drive unit 128x.In this drive unit 128x, feed wheel shaft 137 (therefore feeding wheel 132 and its bogie wheel 133 in addition) directly by motor 153 with constant-speed drive.Yet wheel pressing shaft 139 (therefore also having pinch roller 134 and its bogie wheel 135) is by a turn device 1040 quilts off and on, rather than drives continuously, and this turn device 1040 has substituted original gear train 157～159.When the wheel after the

transposition

134 and 135 did not rotate, along with the rotation of

wheel

132 and 133, raw material quilt downstream was continuously carried, thereby raw material is squeezed wrinkle.When the wheel after the

transposition

134 and 135 rotates, just with raw material from feeding/discharging the coupling assembling.

Turn device 1040 is traditional Ma Shi (Geneva) indexing mechanisms, and in illustrated device, feeds the moving half-turn of wheel 132 revolutions, and 134 of pinch rollers rotate 1/4 circle.Turn device 1040 comprises: a driving-disc 1042 that is installed on the abutment wall 130, a cam pin 1041 that is installed on the driving-disc 1042, be connected the gear 1043 that feeds on wheel shaft 137 ends, and and four slotted disks 1044 that are connected on wheel pressing shaft 138 ends.Driving-disc carries out transposition with wheel pressing shaft 139, and when feeding the moving half-turn of wheel shaft 137 revolutions, driving-disc 1042 will rotate one and enclose.Along with driving-disc 1042 rotates a circle, it makes four slotted disks 1044 rotate 1/4 circle by cam pin 1041.

Feed/coupling assembling another remodeling 111y be illustrated among Figure 19 A～19C.The train 127y of this assembly comprises one " stretching assembly ", and it comprises a stretching wheel 1050, its bogie wheel 1051, and corresponding axle 1052 and 1053.When feeding/coupling assembling 111y when work, wheel 1050 and 1051 with than

wheel

134 and 135 feed rotating speed rotational speed faster, thereby strip was stretched before the delivery outlet that passes on the end wall 105.Wheel 1050 can be identical with

wheel

134 and 135 respectively with size with 1051 design.

Increase wheel 1050 and 1051 and just needed to change supporting frame 126y, train 127y and drive unit 128y.Supporting frame 126y comprises the sidewall 130y of extension, has on each sidewall to be used for the newly-increased groove of assembled shaft 1053; Supporting frame 126y also comprises two cross bar 131y, and they lay respectively between two groups of contiguous bogie wheels.Coupling piece 142y links together all three axles 138,140 and 1053 in train 127y, and two groups of outstanding pin 143y are connected to coupling piece 142y on the cross bar 132y, in drive unit 128y, gear 1054 and 1055 is increased in the gear train, gear 1054 is installed on the stretching wheel shaft 1052, and gear 1055 is installed on the sidewall 130y, in order to transmit motion from gear 157 to gear 1054.Gear 1054 and 1055 size design like this: make the rotation of stretching wheel 1050 under any circumstance all make it feed speed and be in from feeding in this scope of the speed that feeds of wheel 132 to equaling less times greater than the speed that feeds of trailing wheel 134.And, although not shown in Figure 19 A-19C, guiding gutter 129 (seeing Fig. 5 A-5C) also prolonged, and change its fluting, so that pack wheel 1050 and 1051 into.

In the further remodeling 111z of feeding shown in Figure 22～24/coupling assembling, a movable block piece 1060 has replaced pinch roller 134, and the bogie wheel 135 of pinch roller and wheel pressing shaft 139 baffle elements 1060 apply preload towards feeding wheel 132 usefulness springs.Like this, when the wadding band after feed wheel and discharge, it will be subjected to the restriction of block piece 1060, thereby longitudinally strip be squeezed wrinkle.Along with the increase of the strip institute applied pressure that squeezes wrinkle, overcome the spring preload of block piece 1060, block piece is just opened, and passes delivery outlet on the end wall 105 with the strip that allows to squeeze wrinkle.

Shown block piece 1060 is the straight-flanked rings that surrounded a band fillet by (cross section is) circular rod.The middle part vertical curve of ring forms a fillet 1061 between the top 1062 of block piece 1060 and bottom 1063.The fillet 1061 of block piece 1060 connects (axle 140 originally was used for bogie wheel 135) rotationally round axle 140.When inactive state, the bottom 1063 of block piece extends among the guiding gutter 129z along direction towards downstream and that tilt towards downstream, and the top 1062 of block piece then extends upward from the bottom.In train 127z, a pilot pin 1064 is connected on the cross bar 131, and from the cross bar horizontal-extending.On the other end of pilot pin 1064 and the top 1062 that is fixed on block piece-buckle 1065 links to each other, and a spring 1064z carries and is contained on the pilot pin 1064 and between buckle 1065 and cross bar 131.When the pressure increase of the strip that squeezes wrinkle, when surpassing the preload of block piece bottom 1063, the top 1062 of block piece will be pushed to cross bar 131, thereby upwards be swayed in bottom 1063, so that can disengage strip.In guiding gutter 129z, last groove 161z extends to the downstream edge place of guiding gutter always, and this has extended across the delivery outlet (seeing Figure 22) on the end wall 105.Drive unit 128z is identical with drive unit 128 basically, has just saved gear train 157～159.

Fig. 6 A and 6B have represented cushioning material processing machine 200.Machine 200 is with a cushioning product that requires the three-dimensional dimension of length of raw material processing being transformed into of sheet strip.Identical with machine 100, the desirable feedstock of machine 200 comprises a kind of sheet strip material of two layers or multilayer unification of degradable regenerative, and for example 30～50 pounds brown paper is rolled into a hollow cylinder volume with it, thereby forms a stock roll R.Yet be more preferably, raw material is made of three-ply paper, and bonds to together discontinuously in no instance.Identical with machine 100, the desirable cushioning product of machine 200 has the Zhe shape part along both sides, or claims the pillow part, and they interconnect along the narrower middle band that they are separated, or combine.

Machine 200 is similar to aforesaid machine 100, and it comprises an essentially identical casing 202, feeds/coupling assembling 211 excision assembly 212, cutting subsequent components 213.Yet the raw material supply assembly 209 of machine 200 is different with the corresponding assembly in the machine 100 with forming assembly 210.

Raw material supply assembly 209 comprises two bearing supports 214, and they are spaced and be attached on the frame, perhaps more particularly, installs on the upstream wall (being rectangle frame) 208 of frame.Raw material supply assembly 209 also comprises a quantizer 216 and the constant roller 218 that enters, and quantizer 216 comprises three isolated separate rollers of vertical direction, and they extend between bearing support 214 and connect thereon.(quantity of separate roller is corresponding with the number of plies of raw material.Therefore, can use more or less separate roller according to the number of plies).The constant roller 218 that enters also extends between bearing support 214 and connects thereon.

After paper tape left stock roll R unwinding, it entered roller 218 and enters quantizer 216 through constant.In quantizer, separate by separate roller each layer with raw material.This " pre-separation " it is believed that the elasticity that can improve the cushioning product of being produced.Regardless of the diameter of stock roll R, the constant roller 218 that enters all provides a constant inlet point for raw material enters quantizer 216.(similarly the details of raw material supply assembly are disclosed in U.S. Pat 5,322, and in 477, all the elements of this patent are all incorporated by reference at this).

Forming assembly 210 comprises a grooving 219 and a drip molding 220.Grooving 219 shrinks gradually along downstream direction, and is positioned at the downstream portion by the obturator that casing constituted of machine.The inlet of grooving is horn-like expanding outwardly, and its outlet be positioned at feed/coupling assembling 211 near.Grooving 219 is connected on the casing at 211 places, position of diapire 103.

Drip molding 220 has the shape of " U that clutches " or " bobby pin ", and it comprises the connection sweep of branching up and down.Following fork extends to the roughly place of the output of close grooving 219.The rear portion of drip molding 220 is preferably outwards outstanding from the arrival end of grooving, outstanding accounting for greatly about half of drip molding length overall.In addition, round bottom, promptly the radius of sweep approximately is half of open height of grooving.Level and smooth conveying when this can provide from quantizer 216 to drip molding 220 to enter grooving again.

Following fork 220a of drip molding 220 is parallel to the diapire 219a of grooving 219 usually and extends.Yet if desired, can be adjusted to the clearance space of mutual inclination between following the fork of drip molding and the diapire of grooving, so that the lateral margin of raw material obtains suitable shape and shaping.This adjustment can be finished and keeps by adjusting device 223.Shown in clear among Fig. 6 C, adjusting device 223 extends between two branchings from the midpoint of the whole length of following fork of drip molding.It should be noted that going up a fork can be shorter, only need provide the sufficient length on the roof that can be installed to grooving to get final product.Adjusting device 223 comprises a bar 224, and its lower end is connected to following of shaping part 220 by a swivel joint 225 (for example ball and socket head) and sticks.The threaded upper end of bar 224 extends through the screwed hole on the roof of grooving, also passes a screwed hole of fork of going up of drip molding 220 simultaneously, and keeps the location by a nut 224a who is fixed on the grooving 219.For the interval between the diapire of following fork adjusting drip molding and grooving, can rotate the top of threaded rod to suitable direction.The top of bar can be provided with a screwdriver slot, or spanner flat, so that realize this rotation with general utility tool.

The desirable grooving 219 and the further details of drip molding 220 are disclosed in U.S. patent documents NO.08/487, and in 182, the full content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.Yet should be noted that for the present invention the grooving of other form and drip molding also are possible and it is contemplated that.For example, U.S. patent documents US 4,026, and 198; 4,085,662; 4,109,040; Grooving that proposes in 4,717,613 and 4,750,096 and/or drip molding all can be used to replace grooving 219 and/or drip molding 220 here.

When raw material when the grooving 219, its two sides are inwardly wound up or are folded into common spiral-shaped, and all are subjected to the inside active force towards the other side.Like this, the dual-side that inwardly winds up has formed the pillow part of raw material, when they when the port of export of grooving is discharged, it is in the state of side direction butt joint.Drip molding 220 cooperates with grooving 219, to guarantee the correct shape and the shaping of paper tape.The effect of drip molding is the mid portion along the diapire guiding raw material of grooving 219, with inwardly winding up of control two side positions of raw material.Raw material after winding up, or claim paper tape is transferred to then and feeds/coupling assembling 211.

Another is illustrated among Figure 11 A, 11B, 11C and Figure 12 by the cushioning material processing machine of forming according to modular unit 300a of the present invention and 300b 300.Machine 300 is transformed into a cushioning product that requires the three-dimensional dimension of length with the processing of the raw material of sheet strip.Identical with machine 100 and 200, the desirable cushioning product of machine 300 has the Zhe shape part along the extruding of both sides, and they interconnect or claim along the middle band that they are separated and combine.Identical with machine 100 and 200, the desirable feedstock of machine 300 comprises two layers or the sheet strip material of which floor unification of degradable regenerative, and for example 30～50 pounds brown paper is rolled into a hollow cylinder volume with it, thereby forms stock roll R.

The first modular unit 300a comprises a similar casing 302a in the downstream part with the casing 102 of machine 100 (seeing Figure 11 A).Identical with corresponding assembly in the machine 100 basically one feed/coupling assembling 311, one cutting assemblies 312 and a cutting subsequent components 313 all be installed among the casing 302a, and its mounting means is identical with their mounting means in the downstream part of casing 102.Yet an extension fixture 370 has occupied corresponding to forming assembly 110 position occupied in machine casing 102, and only needs less space (seeing Figure 11 A).In addition, a deflector roll 372 is installed in the upstream extremity of casing 302a by support 374.

Extension fixture 370 comprises an installed part 378, connects a separation member 380 (seeing Figure 11 B and 11C) on the installed part 378.Installed part 378 comprises a lateral support arm or claims hold-down arm 381 that it has crooked round about the other end 385, a bandy end 383 and.Separation member 380 just is connected on this end 385.Outer end 383 is installed on the casing 302a by a support 387 and suitable tightening member.

Separation member 380 comprises a lateral support member 393, and the expansion part 395 that is positioned at the bending on the two ends of lateral support member 393.With respect to the thin size of raw material, expansion part is thicker than lateral support member 393.In illustrated extension fixture, installed part 378 is made by a bar or pipe, and the expansion part of bending is made of running roller, and it is bearing on the opposite end of lateral support member 393, so that rotate.Place, lateral support member 393 contiguous one end is connected on the adjacent end 385 of installed part 381, so that support with cantilevered fashion.

Extension fixture 373 is designed to the raw material by the flat folding after the second modular unit 300b shaping.In process, the raw material of (side and mid portion by one deck or which floor raw material are formed) multilayer passes extension fixture 373.More particularly, the side opposite that the mid portion of the raw material behind the flat folding is crossed running roller 395 with hold-down arm 381 directions, the inner edge part of raw material then is passed in narrow V-arrangement or the U-lag that forms between lateral support member 393 and the hold-down arm 381, and the another side of raw material, promptly outer side is crossed the side away from separation member 380 of hold-down arm 381.As a result, the lateral section of raw material is separated from each other, and also separates with mid portion.Thereby the raw material that makes such expansion has height, feeds when raw material enters/during the guiding gutter of coupling assembling 311, and it is exactly a 3D shape now.The further details of extension fixture 370 is disclosed in U.S. Patent application NO.08/584, and in 092, this document is in this hereby incorporated by reference.

The second modular unit 300b comprise one with the similar casing 302b (seeing Figure 12) of casing 102 upstream portion of machine 100.One forming assembly 310 is identical with corresponding assembly in the machine 100 basically, and is installed in an identical manner among the casing 302b.Yet a stock roll R can be installed in ground stand or claim stock roll bearing support 2002 to support by one.In addition, a deflector roll 398 is installed in the downstream of casing 300b by carriage 399.

Represented among Figure 13 that one is equipped with the packaging facilities 2000 of cushioning material processing machine 300.Except machine 300, this equipment comprises that also a platform 2001 and one are installed in ground raw material bearing support 2002.First modular unit 3002 is positioned at the top of platform 2001, and the second modular unit 300b is positioned at the below of platform.After raw material leaves stock roll R debatching, the course of raw material is from bearing support 2002, above plate 119, pass forming assembly 310, walk around following (deflector roll 398 is between two pillars of platform) of deflector roll 398, walk around deflector roll 372 above, pass extension fixture 370, and enter and feed/coupling assembling 311, strip is then by cutting assembly 312 cuttings, and segment is sent through cutting subsequent components 313.

A remodeling 2000u of packaging facilities is illustrated among Figure 14.In packaging facilities 2000u, folding raw material is from passing an opening 2003 on the platform 2001u after unit 300b comes out.This scheme can make the location of unit 300a and 300b with respect to the more close centre position of platform 2001u, and protects it to avoid disturbing when folding raw band moves between two unit.

Another remodeling 2000w of packaging facilities is illustrated among Figure 15.In packaging facilities 2000w, the platform 2001w that increases (comparing with 2001w with platform 2001) below stacks first module 300a on the top of the second unit 300b.In addition, cutting subsequent components 313w is bent upwards, an opening 2003w in platform, thereby the segment of cushioning material just will be fallen on the platform end face.This scheme can be got rid of all machine parts on the platform when the production of cushioning material.

Another packaging facilities 2000x of the present invention is illustrated among Figure 16.This packaging facilities has been equipped with a machine 300x similar to machine 300, and difference is its first modular unit 300ax.Specifically, modular unit 300ax has manual, rather than motor-driven cutting assembly 312x.In addition, casing 300bx is the form of the foundry goods of one two body.Other parts, for example extension fixture 370 and feeding/coupling assembling 311 is all worked in aforesaid mode with substantially the same.About modular unit 300bx details further, can be with reference to U.S. Patent application NO.08/584,092.

So far be appreciated that to the invention provides a kind of improved cushioning material processing machine, and corresponding cushioning material processing method.Although be the present invention is described and shows according to some preferred embodiments, for a person skilled in the art, after reading and having understood this specification, obviously can some equivalent substitutions and modifications of operation.The present invention includes these all equivalent substitutions and modifications.Therefore, although a certain concrete feature of the present invention just is described hereinbefore in conjunction with a described embodiment, yet, may be desired and more favourable as arbitrary specific application scenarios to it, this concrete feature can combine with the one or more features among other embodiment.

Should be noted that the facility of position relation in the specification (that is: top, the end, below, top etc.) when just when describing embodiment, being used to illustrate, and attempt to limit the invention to a certain specific direction by no means.Also have, be used for determining all title terms (comprising mark) of assembly described here and device to a certain parts, except as otherwise noted, also will be suitable for to realize any assembly or the device of a certain specific function, this assembly or device are compared with the structure of stating that can realize function of the present invention, although may not be structural equivalents, but function equivalent.

Claims

1. cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, this processing machine comprises:

The casing that raw material is therefrom passed along delegation's route line; And

One feeds/coupling assembling, and this assembly makes raw material advance along described course from the one raw material source, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material connection that will squeeze wrinkle, and to produce a damping wadding band, described feeding/coupling assembling comprises:

Pass the upstream components and the components downstream of the described route setting of described casing along raw material, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of flaky material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts; And upstream components and components downstream one of them comprises opposed a pair of element at least, raw material is from passing between the described opposing elements that has squeeze pressure and being squeezed; With

One in order to adjust the pressure control device of the squeeze pressure value that is applied to raw material by described opposing elements, described control device comprises a controlling organization that touches that is positioned at described cabinet outside, so that the operator can easily adjust squeeze pressure, thereby can change the characteristic of this damping wadding band as requested.

2. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described pressure control device comprises a biasing force device, and it imposes elastic pressure towards another element to an element in the described opposing elements; Also comprise an adjusting device, in order to regulate by the biasing force that described that element applied of described biasing force device in described opposing elements, described adjusting device and described control element are operatively connected.

3. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, control element comprises a control swing handle.

4. cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, this processing machine comprises:

Pass the upstream components and the components downstream of the described route setting of described casing along raw material, at least upstream components is subjected to a driving, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of sheet-shaped material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts; And described upstream components and components downstream respectively comprise opposed a pair of element, and raw material is from passing between the described opposing elements that has squeeze pressure and being squeezed; With

One pressure control device, in order to adjust by the described opposing elements of described components downstream to squeeze pressure value that raw material applied, make this pressure be independent of described opposing elements by described upstream components, thereby can change the characteristic of wadding band to the squeeze pressure that raw material applied.

5. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described pressure control device comprises a biasing force device, and it applies elastic pressure towards another element to an element in the described opposing elements of described components downstream; Also comprise an adjusting device, in order to regulate by the biasing force that described that element applied of described biasing force device in described opposing elements.

6. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, described pressure control device also comprises a control element that is positioned at described cabinet outside, so that the operator can easily adjust squeeze pressure, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band as requested.

7. cushioning material processing machine, by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, this processing machine comprises:

Feed parts along the upstream that raw material passes the described route setting of described casing and the downstream feeds parts, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of sheet-shaped material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form damping wadding band to raw material between two parts; With

One in order to change the upstream feeds parts and the downstream feeds the adjustable speed control device that feeds speed ratio between the parts, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band.

8. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, described adjustable speed control device comprises that is used for one of them a variable speed drive of upstream and downstream parts.

9. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 8, it is characterized in that, described adjustable speed control device also comprises a control element that is positioned at described cabinet outside, so that the operator can easily adjust speed ratio, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band as requested.

10. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, described adjustable speed control device comprises a quick change gear train.

11. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that described upstream components and components downstream have drive motors separately, and described adjustable speed controlling organization comprises the speed Control of a pair of one of them described motor.

12. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that described adjustable speed controlling organization comprises the pulley apparatus of a variable pitch circle.

13. a cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, and this processing machine comprises:

Pass the upstream components and the components downstream of the described route setting of described casing along raw material, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of sheet-shaped material when components downstream is discharged, to realize crowded wrinkle to raw material between two parts, thereby form a damping wadding band, and

Downstream part in components downstream also is provided with a tensile part, and its operation makes damping wadding band advance with higher speed, and the speed that its speed is higher than raw material when passing components downstream is to realize the longitudinal stretching to damping wadding band.

14. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, feeds/jockey comprises an adjustable speed controlling organization, and the speed when feeding material in order to change stretching device, thus can change the characteristic of damping wadding band.

15. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that the downstream feeds parts and is activated, and material is advanced, its pace is lower than the material pace that is fed by upstream components.

16. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, feed/coupling assembling comprises an adjustable speed controlling organization, the speed ratio when feeding raw material in order to change upstream components and components downstream.

17. a cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, and this processing machine comprises:

Pass the upstream components and the components downstream of the described route setting of described casing along raw material, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of raw material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts; One of them comprises opposed a pair of element at least for upstream components and components downstream, and raw material is from passing between the described opposing elements that has squeeze pressure and being squeezed; And its surface of at least one element in the described opposing elements is made by the elastomeric material that can be meshed with raw material at least partly.

18. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that described elastomeric material is a rubber.

19. a cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that Buddhist nun's strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, and this processing machine comprises:

A kind of casing that raw material is therefrom passed along delegation's route line; And

That at least one can rotate along a first direction, tumbler in order to mesh raw material and raw material is advanced along described course,

One feeds motor in order to drive described this tumbler along what described first direction rotated, and

A crank that links to each other with described tumbler, this crank can make described this tumbler rotate along a second direction opposite with described first direction.

20. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 19, it is characterized in that: described crank links to each other with described tumbler by an one-way clutch, this one-way clutch allows described tumbler to rotate at the described described first direction in motor effect lower edge that feeds, and can make crank keep static simultaneously; And not being subjected to describedly when feeding motor-driven when described tumbler, described crank can make described tumbler be rotated in a second direction.

21. cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, this processing machine comprises: have first module and Unit second of casing separately, thereby first module and Unit second can be placed on the position of space, described first module is included in the former in its casing, raw material in order to the pleated sheet strip, to form the flat raw band after folding, flat raw band after folding is a multilayer, every layer of folding line that extends along the longitudinal is connected at least on another layer, and described Unit second is included in the Stent assembly in its casing, its effect is that flat raw band after folding is therefrom through out-of-date, each layer that this raw band is adjacent is separated from each other, to form the raw band of an expansion, comprise that also one feeds/coupling assembling, it advances raw material and passes Stent assembly, raw material from the expansion of Stent assembly is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material connection that will squeeze wrinkle, to produce a damping wadding band.

22. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that, one of them is bearing in described first module and Unit second on another.

23. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, it also comprises a platform, and this platform comprises that one has the deck roof on a package handling surface, and described first module and Unit second all are positioned at described package handling lower face.

24. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that, it also comprises a platform, and this platform comprises that one has the deck roof on a package handling surface, and described first module and Unit second all are positioned at the below of described deck roof.

25. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 21, it is characterized in that it also comprises a platform, this platform comprises that one has the platform item on a package handling surface, described first module is positioned at the below of described deck roof, and described second unit bearing is on described deck roof.

26. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that, described deck roof has an opening, for therefrom passing and go to described Unit second from the flat raw band behind described first module folding.

27. a cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, and this processing machine comprises:

One is used for supply sheet strip supply of raw material assembly; And

A handle is processed the processing assembly that changes a three-dimensional dimension damping wadding band into from the sheet strip raw material of provisioning component;

Described raw material supply assembly comprises: the support in a raw material supply source, raw material just send out from this raw material source; Also comprise a fold assembly, it makes raw material folding along a broken line parallel with the longitudinal axis of himself, thereby the number of plies of the raw material that is processed to cushioning product is doubled.

28. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 27, it is characterized in that, described fold assembly is a triangle, and it has the importing limit and restrains two sides that converge, and each lateral section of raw material folds through also inside mutually from two sides that described convergence is converged respectively.

29. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, the raw material supply assembly comprises a mandrel that is used for supporting stock roll, and the described importing limit of described fold assembly is parallel to described mandrel.

30. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 29 is characterized in that, described fold assembly comprises a triangular plate.

31. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 29 is characterized in that, described importing limit bends to the angle greater than 90 °.

32. a cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, and this processing machine comprises:

One forming assembly, sheet strip raw material advances and passes this assembly, so that raw material forms a 3D shape, described forming assembly comprises a drip molding and a convergent groove that cooperates with described drip molding, they make the edge of raw material inwardly wind up, the lateral section of the pillow of raw band after being shaped with generation; And

One feeds/coupling assembling, this assembly feeds and squeezes the raw band after wrinkle is shaped, and the forming belt that will squeeze wrinkle connects, to produce a damping wadding band, described feeding/coupling assembling comprises: the upstream components and the components downstream of passing the route setting of described machine along raw material, at least upstream components is activated, so that raw material towards downstream parts advance, its pace is greater than the speed of sheet-shaped material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts.

33. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that, described drip molding is a U-shaped, and one first branching is fixed on the roof of described groove, and its second branching extends into the diapire that also is parallel to groove in the described groove usually.

34. a cushioning material processing machine, it is by being that the damping wadding that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of two-dimension sizes changes a three-dimensional dimension into produces cushioning product basically with one, and this processing machine comprises:

One feeds/coupling assembling, and this assembly makes raw material advance along described course from the one raw material source, and raw material is squeezed wrinkle, and the raw material connection that will squeeze wrinkle, forms a damping wadding band, and described feeding/coupling assembling comprises:

Feed parts along the upstream that raw material passes the described route setting of described casing and the downstream feeds parts, the upstream feeds parts and is driven continuously, feed raw material continuously so that during the forming operation of cushioning material, feed parts downstream, and the downstream feeds parts and is driven off and on, so that periodically feed raw material, thereby when the downstream feeds parts and is driven, raw material feeds in upstream and downstream and is subjected to vertically squeezing wrinkle between the parts, and when the downstream feeds parts and driven, vertically squeeze raw material after the wrinkle and feed parts by the downstream and feed to the port of export of machine.

35. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 34, it is characterized in that, described upstream components and components downstream respectively comprise one in order to drive the tumbler of engagement raw material, described feeding/coupling assembling comprises a motor that is connected with the described tumbler of upstream components, in order to during the forming operation of cushioning material, to drive described upstream component continuously, and by the described tumbler transmission of transposition gear mechanism, to rotate the intermittence of the described tumbler of realizing components downstream to described components downstream.

36. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 35 is characterized in that, described transposition gear mechanism is a Ma Shi gear mechanism.

37. cushioning material processing machine as claimed in claim 34 is characterized in that, described feeding/coupling assembling comprises: extend between described upstream components and components downstream, be included in therebetween opposed conducting element in order to the strip that will squeeze wrinkle.

38. a method of making cushioning product, it will be the cushioning product that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of a bidimensional size changes a kind of three-dimensional dimension into basically, and the step of this method comprises:

Supply raw material;

Use one to feed/upstream components of coupling assembling make raw material towards feed/downstream parts of coupling assembling advance, its pace is greater than the speed of material when components downstream is discharged, to realize crowded wrinkle to raw material between two parts, thereby form damping wadding band, upstream components and components downstream all comprise opposed a pair of element, and raw material passes and be subjected to it to push between the described opposing elements that has squeeze pressure; And

Adjustment, is made this pressure be independent of opposing elements by upstream components to the squeeze pressure that raw material applied, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band to the squeeze pressure value that raw material applied by the opposing elements of components downstream.

39. a method of making cushioning product, it will be the cushioning product that the sheet strip raw material of one deck at least of a bidimensional size changes a three-dimensional dimension into basically, and the step of this method comprises:

Supply raw material;

Use one to feed/upstream components of coupling assembling make raw material towards feed/downstream parts of coupling assembling advance, its pace is greater than the speed of material when components downstream is discharged, with the crowded wrinkle of realization, thereby form a damping wadding band to raw material between two parts; And

Change upstream and downstream and feed the speed ratio that parts feed speed, thereby can change the characteristic of damping wadding band.

40. method as claimed in claim 39 is characterized in that, the described step that changes speed ratio comprises, uses one of them variable speed drive of upstream and downstream parts is adjusted.

41. method as claimed in claim 39 is characterized in that, the described step that changes speed ratio comprises, with different gear trains the quick change gear train is changed.

42. method as claimed in claim 39 is characterized in that, the described step that changes speed ratio comprises, the pulley apparatus of variable pitch circle is adjusted.